Burning fossil fuels can be great fun
OPINION: I wasn’t so much surprised as disappointed when I read about people opposing Americarna because it challenged their ‘green thinking’. They say it’s outdated because it uses fossil fuels that are adding to the problems associated with global warming and all that stuff we hear about ‘ad nauseam’.
To those people I say loosen up and mind your own beeswax.
Sure they have a point but so do those who enjoy taking part in Americarna and motor sports such as the amazing new jet sprint track at Waitara and the go-kart track next door. What are those people supposed to do all day? Stay home, grow mung beans and sing Kumbaya? I don’t think so.
I couldn’t get to Americarna because I went to the air show at Ohakea for the 80th anniversary of the RNZAF. I have to say it was six hours of brilliantly organised, non-stop, gobsmackingly dazzling, flying awesomeness; and that’s not a word I use casually.
The utter power, speed and grace of those planes usurped anything I have seen either here or overseas. The Americans with the f17 Fighting Tornado coming in low at 700kmh and going into a tight horizontal turn was truly awe-inspiring. All of that in total silence – that is until the sound caught up and the very earth seemed to shake as 20,000 people felt their chests reverberate as the jet engine’s roared showing us what real power was. Then there was the Spitfire, possibility the most inefficient but nevertheless beautiful of all aircraft. The massive c17 Globemaster, how it stayed in the air is beyond me. The RNZAF 757 taking off like a rocket proving that life does reflect Thunderbirds as it flew in formation with the Hercules. We should have gone for the two days because we didn’t even get to the many static displays.
To the greenies I say neither this nor Americarna was frivolous, it was recreation at its finest for many people and it always will be, make no mistake. Like the greenies, I love the concept of saving fuel when I can. I cycle a lot, plant trees and grow my own veges – I always have done; but do not be so damned judgemental of others with your uncompromising and unreal values. Be real, not ideal. That’s why you lost Mt Albert and that’s why you will lose the next election.
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